Oscillating tool

A power tool comprising:

• a housing;
• a motor mounted in the housing;
• an output member driven by the motor;
• a spindle coupled to the output member and driven by the motor, through the output member, in an oscillating motion;
• a clamp assembly coupled to the spindle and configured to retain an accessory, the clamp assembly including a first clamp member that moves between a closed position wherein the clamp assembly retains the accessory in a clamped condition with a clamping force for holding the accessory during operation of the power tool and an open position permitting removal of the accessory from the clamp assembly while the first clamp member remains coupled to the clamp assembly, the clamp assembly further comprising a second clamp member having a first portion that opposes the first clamp member and cooperates with the first clamp member to clamp the accessory between the first and second clamp members;
• and
• an actuator operable to cause the first clamp member to move between the closed position and the open position;
• wherein the spindle is arranged vertically and the clamp assembly is located at a lower end of the spindle;
• wherein the actuator comprises an elongate member;
• wherein the actuator is configured such that operation of the actuator alone can effect the movement of the first clamping member from the closed position to the open position;
• wherein the clamp assembly is configured such that the accessory can be clamped by the clamp assembly in at least in four positions, the four positions spaced 90 degrees apart around the clamp assembly;
• and
• wherein the actuator comprises a lever which is rotatable about an axis.

A power tool comprising:

• a housing;
• a motor mounted in the housing;
• an output member driven by the motor;
• a spindle coupled to the output member and driven by the motor, through the output member, in an oscillating motion;
• a clamp assembly coupled to the spindle;
• and
• an accessory comprising an attachment portion with an open ended aperture;
• wherein the clamp assembly includes a first clamp member that moves between a closed position wherein the clamp assembly retains the accessory in a clamped position with a clamping force for holding the accessory during operation of the power tool and an open position permitting removal of the accessory from the clamp assembly while the first clamp member remains coupled to the clamp assembly, the clamp assembly further comprising a second clamp member having a first portion that opposes the first clamp member and cooperates with the first clamp member to clamp the accessory between the first and second clamp members;
• and
• further comprising an actuator operable to cause the first clamp member to move between the closed position and the open position, the open position providing sufficient clearance between the first clamp member and the second clamp member to permit the removal of the accessory from the clamp assembly;
• wherein the spindle is arranged vertically and perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the motor and the clamp assembly is located at a lower end of the spindle;
• wherein at least one of the first clamping member and the second clamping member are located outside of the housing;
• wherein the actuator is configured such that operation of the actuator alone can effect the movement of the first clamping member from the first position to the second position;
• wherein the actuator is a tool-free mechanism;
• wherein the clamp assembly is configured such that the accessory can be clamped by the clamp assembly with the open end facing in a transverse direction away from the motor;
• wherein the clamp assembly is configured such that the accessory can be clamped by the clamp assembly in at least in four positions, the four positions spaced 90 degrees apart around the clamp assembly;
• and
• wherein the actuator comprises a lever.